Potato Leek Soup with Tumeric and Smoked Paprika

What could be better on a cold winter night then a hearty soup. Granted, winter has not been cold but I am still craving soup.  Playing around with flavors here and came up with an interesting twist on the classic.

INGREDIENTS:
5 potatoes peeled, washed and diced
3 leeks washed well and chopped
2 shallots peeled and chopped
1 carrot peeled and chopped.
5 cups of broth or stock (chicken, beef, vegetable--your choice)
2 tbs oil
Salt, Pepper to Taste
1-2 tbs of tumeric
1/2 tbs of smoked paprika 
3 strips of bacon cooked till crunchy and drained on paper towels (optional)


In a large pot, heat oil and simmer shallots and leeks for about 7 minutes till begin to soften. Add potatoes and carrots, simmer another minute. Add broth, bring to boil. Cook till potatoes soften, about 20 minutes. Add tumeric and paprika, salt and pepper and cook another 5 minutes.

Using emersion blender, blend soup till smooth. If too thick, add more broth and bring to boil while stirring.

I will be serving with bacon bits and kale chips.  Recipe for kale chips here: http://www.saladgirlnat.com/2013/01/kale-chips.html